Synonyms for penitentiary
ˌpɛn ɪˈtɛn ʃə ripen·i·ten·tia·ry

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. penitentiaryadjective

   of or relating to penance; penitential

   Synonyms:
   pen

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:2.0 / 1 vote

1. penitentiary, penadjective

   a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes

   Synonyms:
   playpen, pen

   Antonyms:
   unremorseful, impenitent, rehabilitative, unrepentant

2. penitentiaryadjective

   used for punishment or reform of criminals or wrongdoers

   "penitentiary institutions"

   Synonyms:
   penitential

   Antonyms:
   unremorseful, unrepentant, impenitent, rehabilitative

3. penitential, penitentiaryadjective

   showing or constituting penance

   "penitential tears"; "wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words"

   Synonyms:
   penitential

   Antonyms:
   unrepentant, unremorseful, rehabilitative, impenitent

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. penitentiarynoun

   Synonyms:
   prison, jail, bridewell, work-house, house of correction

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. penitentiarynoun

   Synonyms:
   prison

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "penitentiary":

   prison, correctional, penitentiaries, prisons, penal, corrections, custodial, jail, detention, penal-correctional

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How to use penitentiary in a sentence?

1. Sean Kelley:

   Prisons are designed to punish, to keep people afraid, to deter, this prison changed everything though. The people who built this prison said 'why not rehabilitate, why not inspire penance?' So they built this building calling it a penitentiary. The prison at that time was state-of-the-art, revolutionary and the most expensive in the world. In operation from 1829 to 1971, thousands passed through the large gates in the 142 years it was in operation. The prisoners included some notorious criminals like Al Capone and bank robber William Slick Willie Sutton. Sutton, in fact, was part of a 1945 jailbreak. He and 11 other prisoners built a tunnel they thought would carry them to freedom. Instead, within months after the well-planned escape, all 12 inmates who broke out were caught and returned. Slick Willie was captured just 3 minutes after breaking free. In operation from 1829 to 1971, thousands passed through the large gates in the 142 years it was in operation. The prisoners included some notorious criminals like Al Capone and bank robber William.

2. Stephen Komie:

   He is his own most dangerous enemy if he gets on the witness stand, that's what could trigger a ride to the penitentiary. Judges do not like perjury.

3. H.L. Mencken:

   All zoos actually offer to the public in return for the taxes spent upon them is a form of idle and witless amusement, compared to which a visit to a penitentiary, or even to a State legislature in session, is informing, stimulating and ennobling.

4. Michael Avenatti:

   My client and I hope that he is sentenced to the absolute maximum federal penitentiary time.

5. Malcolm Larvadain:

   He's a free man. He was released a couple of hours ago from Angola State Penitentiary.